Leonard Coulshaw

Who was Leonard Coulshaw?

The Very Rev Leonard Coulshaw CB, MC, FKC was Chaplain of the Fleet and Archdeacon of the Royal Navy from 1948 to 1952.

Born on 24 February 1896 and educated at Southend High School for Boys and King's College London, he served in the Essex Regiment during the First World War.

He was ordained in 1923 and after a curacy at St Andrew’s, Romford was commissioned as a chaplain in the Royal Navy. Amongst others he served on HMS Cyclops, HMS Iron Duke, HMS Effingham, HMS Ganges, HMS Royal Sovereign and HMS Revenge before becoming the head of the service in 1948. After four years he became Vicar of West End; and then in 1954 Frensham.

An Honorary Chaplain to both the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, he died on 22 July 1988.